King James Version

What Does Revelation 21:3 Mean?

Revelation 21:3 in the King James Version says “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, ... — study this verse from Revelation chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

Revelation 21:3 · KJV


Context

1

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

2

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

4

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

5

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them (ἡ σκηνὴ τοῦ θεοῦ μετὰ τῶν ἀνθρώπων)—the Greek skēnē (tabernacle) evokes the wilderness Tabernacle where God's glory dwelt (Exodus 40:34-35). This is the ultimate fulfillment of Immanuel—"God with us" (Matthew 1:23). The verb skēnoō (to dwell/tabernacle) recalls John 1:14: "The Word became flesh and dwelt [tabernacled] among us."

They shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them—this is the consummation of the covenant formula repeated throughout Scripture (Leviticus 26:12; Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 37:27; 2 Corinthians 6:16). What began in Eden, was interrupted by sin, promised to Abraham, pictured in the Tabernacle, violated by Israel, and inaugurated through Christ's incarnation now reaches its eternal perfection. The phrase "God himself" (αὐτὸς ὁ θεὸς) emphasizes the unmediated presence—no temple, no veil, no priesthood needed (Revelation 21:22).

This verse is the theological climax of redemptive history: God dwelling directly with His redeemed people in perfect covenant relationship forever. Every previous "dwelling"—Eden, Tabernacle, Temple, Incarnation—was a shadow of this reality.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Written circa AD 95-96 during Domitian's persecution, John's vision provided hope to suffering Asian churches. The imagery of God's tabernacle with humanity would resonate powerfully with Jewish Christians who understood the Temple's destruction (AD 70) as catastrophic loss of God's dwelling place. John announces something greater: the eternal Temple is not a building but God Himself dwelling with His people in the new creation. The covenant formula ("they shall be his people") had been violated repeatedly in Israel's history—exile proved covenant failure. Revelation 21:3 promises the New Covenant's consummation: unbreakable, eternal fellowship with God secured by the Lamb's blood (Revelation 21:27).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse fulfill every "God with us" promise from Genesis through the Gospels, and what does this reveal about God's ultimate purpose in creation and redemption?
  2. What makes this dwelling different from Eden, the Tabernacle, and even Christ's incarnation—and how should the promise of unmediated divine presence transform your longing for heaven?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 34 words
καὶ1 of 34

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἤκουσα2 of 34

I heard

G191

to hear (in various senses)

φωνῆς3 of 34

voice

G5456

a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose), saying or language

μεγάλης4 of 34

a great

G3173

big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)

ἐκ5 of 34

out of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τοῦ6 of 34
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

οὐρανοῦ7 of 34

heaven

G3772

the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)

λεγούσης8 of 34

saying

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Ἰδού,9 of 34

Behold

G2400

used as imperative lo!

10 of 34
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σκηνὴ11 of 34

the tabernacle

G4633

a tent or cloth hut (literally or figuratively)

τοῦ12 of 34
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεός13 of 34

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

μετ'14 of 34

is with

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

τῶν15 of 34
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀνθρώπων16 of 34

men

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

καὶ17 of 34

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

σκηνώσει18 of 34

he will dwell

G4637

to tent or encamp, i.e., (figuratively) to occupy (as a mansion) or (specially), to reside (as god did in the tabernacle of old, a symbol of protectio

μετ'19 of 34

is with

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

αὐτῶν20 of 34

and be their

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ21 of 34

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

αὐτῶν22 of 34

and be their

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

λαοὶ23 of 34

people

G2992

a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)

αὐτῶν24 of 34

and be their

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἔσται25 of 34

shall be

G2071

will be

καὶ26 of 34

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

αὐτῶν27 of 34

and be their

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

28 of 34
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεός29 of 34

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ἔσται30 of 34

shall be

G2071

will be

μετ'31 of 34

is with

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

αὐτῶν32 of 34

and be their

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

θεός33 of 34

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

αὐτῶν34 of 34

and be their

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Revelation. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Revelation 21:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Revelation 21:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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